
Prototype Engineer at Humanoid (London, United Kingdom)
Humanoid· London, United Kingdom·
Role details
Humanoid at a glance
Humanoid builds commercially scalable, safe humanoid robots to automate labor-intensive industrial tasks in warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing.
Designs and builds general-purpose humanoid robots (the HMND 01 platform) that automate physical industrial tasks like goods handling, picking and packing, and kitting, orchestrated by an in-house AI fleet framework called KinetIQ.
Approximately $30M self-funded by founder Artem Sokolov; a ~$200M Series A was in talks as of early 2026 (not closed) raised · latest: Series A (in talks, ~$200M, no valuation set) as of February 2026 · backed by Artem Sokolov (founder, sole shareholder)
Job description
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
About the Role
We're looking for a hands-on Prototype Engineer to build, assemble and maintain hardware prototypes for the end effectors on our robots and the human-worn devices operators use to interface with them. You'll run our prototyping shop, build and maintain test rigs, and support hardware testing and trial sessions — turning CAD files and BOMs into working units, fast. This is a high-paced environment where turnaround is tight and your work directly shapes what the design team builds next.
What You'll Do
- Build Prototype Hardware: Build, assemble and maintain prototype hardware from CAD/BOM through to working units.
- Operate Workshop Equipment: Operate 3D printers, CNC and general workshop tools to produce prototype parts quickly and to spec.
- Prototype with MCUs: Quickly wire up and prototype with MCU platforms such as ESP32 and Raspberry Pi to support test rigs and hardware validation.
- Build & Run Test Rigs: Build, set up and run test rigs and validation jigs for durability, calibration and functional testing.
- Support Hardware Testing: Support hardware testing, internal trials and demo sessions, providing hands-on troubleshooting and repair.
- Turn Around Fast: Deliver prototype builds within tight timelines to keep pace with rapid design-iteration cycles.
- Manage the Shop: Maintain an organised prototyping shop and parts inventory, including fasteners, connectors and components.
- Feed Back to Design: Document build issues and feed practical build, assembly and serviceability feedback directly into design decisions.
What We're Looking For
- Background in mechanical/mechatronic engineering, technician training, or equivalent hands-on hardware experience, with 2-4 years' experience prototyping physical hardware or robotics products.
- Practical skills with 3D printing, hand tools, basic machining, soldering and cable/harness assembly.
- Ability to prototype quickly with MCU platforms (e.g. ESP32, Raspberry Pi and similar), plus basic breadboarding and circuit assembly skills.
- Comfortable reading CAD drawings and BOMs and translating them into a physical build; any level of CAD design capability is a plus.
- Experience building test rigs and supporting hardware testing, trials or demos of prototype hardware.
- A practical, get-it-working mindset with good organisational habits, comfortable in a high-paced, iterative environment.
Nice to have
- Any level of CAD design capability — not just reading drawings, but creating or modifying simple parts/fixtures
- Basic electronics debugging skills (multimeter, continuity checks, simple rework)
- Experience assembling wearable or compact electromechanical devices
- Experience in a robotics or hardware startup lab environment
What We Offer
- Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
- 30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas–New Year shutdown).
- Private healthcare, including virtual and in-person care.
- Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
- Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in-office.
- Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world-class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics.
- Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.
Why work at Humanoid
- High-growth environment: Company grew headcount by 139% in a single year, indicating rapid scaling and opportunity for career advancement. 65+ open roles suggest strong hiring momentum.
- Talent from top robotics firms: Team includes alumni from Boston Dynamics, Sanctuary AI, Dyson, Ocado Technology, Arrival, Wayve, and others — offering a deep learning and collaboration environment.
- Technical focus: Engineering and technical roles represent 38% of the workforce, with senior-level hires at 23% of the team. The company emphasizes hardware, AI, machine learning, and control systems.
- Mission-driven: Clear purpose to automate undesirable, unsafe, and repetitive work — appealing to candidates who want to make a tangible societal impact.
- Global presence: Offices in London (HQ), Cambridge (USA), and Burnaby (Canada), plus operations in 16 countries — offering potential for international mobility and remote collaboration.
- Innovation culture: Described as a place where engineers and researchers “move from demo to deployment” and “not just in the lab.” The CTO emphasizes building systems that perform in the real world from day one.
- Office/Hybrid policy: Not explicitly stated, but the company has physical offices in three countries and a distributed team across 16 nations — likely supports hybrid/remote with in-office collaboration for engineering roles.